Special When Lit

[Turvey]

http://www.pbs.co.uk/157/Special-When-Lit/92

SKY Channel 166 Sunday 8.30pm

They were the epitome of cool and made more money than Hollywood - not bad for a game that could never be won.

Much like the mobile gaming in the 21st century, pinball machines in the 1950s and 60s took the world by storm.

These twinkling, mechanical beauties are rarely seen today. But a sub-culture of passionate fans, collectors, designers and champion players keep the iconic game alive.

Much like other obsessive hobbies, 'pinheads' are predominantly middle-aged and male. Much of their time is spent in bars or basements amongst flashing lights and tinkling sounds. A game to us, but to them, it's a sport and a lifestyle.

Special When Lit is a nostalgic, whimsical and touching documentary, features a cast of occasionally eccentric but always likeable characters, and tells the definitive story of the pinball machine - a game which can't be digitally reproduced.

Sure plays a mean pinball.

[wp34]

Thanks for the tip.  Found it on another channel.   

[SammyWI]

Available on Netflix streaming.  Added to my list.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Dervacumen]

I stumbled upon this a few months ago about 1/3 of the way though.  It's definitely worth a look.  I ended up playing my MAME machine shortly afterwards since I don't have a pin.

[yotsuya]

Just let me know what shipping to AZ is, James.

[yotsuya]

I've done the Phoenix to San Antonio drive once. I ain't doing it again for a pinball machine. Maybe for a free Star Wars upright, a pin, and some food from Mi Tierra, though...
 
 

[Turvey]

Ugh, watched this again thanks to this thread.

This movie makes me want to sell all my games.


 

Sorry 

[Gray_Area]

Friend of mine has done Houston -> San Diego nonstop twice.  That should probably be illegal.

When going home on leave, a buddy of mine used to drive non-stop from SoCal to Virginia.


Anyways, pins are in about every movie theatre. They may be new machines, but they're distinctly pinball tables.

Love the new sig, jim.

[Ginsu Victim]

Anyways, pins are in about every movie theatre. They may be new machines, but they're distinctly pinball tables.

Not any movie theater I've been to.

[Gray_Area]

Maybe it's a regional thing. All the big theatres here, and at least one 'dollar' theatre (it's not a dollar anymore, but....yeah...) have arcades in them, and have at least a pin or two.

[menace]

Just watched this the other day.."special" had a different meaning for me when it was done.  I can't for the life of me wrap my brain around the dancing these guys do--that one specialist guy seemed so cool and rational but when he played he was all twitchy--It was almost autistic (no disrespect intended for autistic people)

I actually agree with PBJ--it was embarrassing at times to admit I like pinball machines after watching this...some interesting bits though...

[Ginsu Victim]

Maybe it's a regional thing. All the big theatres here, and at least one 'dollar' theatre (it's not a dollar anymore, but....yeah...) have arcades in them, and have at least a pin or two.

Oh, plenty of them have had arcades, but I've never found a pin in one.

[wp34]

One of our big theaters actually has a row of pins.  They are all the newer Stern pinball machines though.  No classics.

[BadMouth]

Watched this last night.  Made me want to start working out and spend more time with my girlfriend before I end up like them.

[menace]

I Have wondered if they tried to be balanced about it but at the end just gave up.  Plot goes "sad day for pinballs--but what will these weirdos do?"

[Gray_Area]

Coming back to this, here are two pins in a local theatre arcade: